Hart Newport Beach Trip 2011

We had a wonderful trip to Newport Beach! Just our family and Barry went down from the Jim Hart clan (we missed my mom and dad, Ty and Kath's family, Brody and Corine's family, and Brooke and Skyler) but luckily Bill and Gay's family let us stay with them. The boys had so much fun playing in the water, playing in the sand, and playing with all their cousins (2nd cousins, that is). The beach is just a giant playground for kids! They all had a blast playing together. Here are some pictures from the trip:

Graham woke up pretty early each morning ready to go out to the beach. Bridger slept in our bed with us (which means I didn't sleep) and Graham slept in his pack 'n' play.


Jake and I enjoying a night out at dinner without the boys at the Brewery. "Grandpa Bill" and "Grandma Gay"adopted our boys as their grandkids and took care of them with their other grandkids for us. It was so nice!

Kari and Matt brought this baby pool with them and all the little kids loved it! I don't know why we haven't done this every year. It was the best idea ever! Graham couldn't get enough of that pool.

I was a little bit worried about the kids napping at the beach but it wasn't a problem as you can see here. Bridger would just crawl up on his towel when he was tired and go to sleep. I wish he would do that at home!

Graham just loved playing in the sand and eating it too! I think he ate more sand that week than he did baby food but there was nothing you could do about it. Oh well!

A bunch of the girl cousins enjoying the beach. The weather was PERFECT this year! The sun would come out early every morning and stay out all day. It was lovely!

Graham playing in the sand

Another time Bridger just fell asleep eating his lunch. It was hilarious to watch him play until he dropped. He had so much fun!

Graham and Bridger playing together in the sand.

Bridger was not afraid of the water one bit! He would even run out to it without telling me so I'd have to chase after him. And on one occasion my cousin, Ali, had to save him when he went out too far to get his ball and went in face down (scary!). Where were his parents you ask? I was watching Graham on a towel not far from the ocean and Jake was out swimming for a beach ball that had floated away. Thanks again, Ali!

Bridger and his buddy, Logan, at Ruby's Diner

A typical morning at Ruby's Diner. Yummy!

Madie and Bridger having a fun time on the beach. Madie has trained Bridger well, whenever she asks him "Who's your favorite?" Bridger says, "Madie!"

Bridger playing with his cousin, Whitney. They are fearless.

Every day we took up about half of the beach. This is just about half of our circle. We counted 57 people there this year. What a fun tradition! I miss being there already.

Brooke and Skyler's Wedding

Brooke and Skyler's wedding was on May 25th. The whole day was just beautiful! I'm so happy for them. And I'm excited to have a new brother-in-law!

The happy couple coming out of the temple! Don't they look amazing?

My mom, Brooke, and me

Our family at the temple after the wedding


Our whole family together for the last time in 3 years :(

Brooke and Skyler with all their neices and nephews. When Jake and I got married we just had Makenzie and eliza on my side, now look at them all!

I love this picture of them looking at the temple!

Graham was so cute in his tie!

Bridger was so handsome in his vest and tie but he wouldn't let me get a good picture of him.

This was the best family picture we got. Bridger is making a mean face but what can you do?

Help my friends adopt

My sweet friend, Kim, and her husband, Brock, are trying to adopt a baby. Adoption placement usually comes from word of mouth and through aquaintances so they have asked their friends to help spread the word that they are trying to adopt a baby. They are adopting through LDS Family Services and you can check out their profile here: https://www.itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/24348390/ourMessage.jsf

They also have an adoption blog where you can learn more about their story: http://kimandbrockadoption.blogspot.com/

I met Kim in 2001 at Snow College. She was one of my roommates and we hit it off right away. I can honestly say she is one of the most wonderful people I have ever met. She is so caring, fun-loving, hilarious, and out-going. She is very responsible but doesn't take life too seriously. She makes everyone around her feel loved and included. I loved being her roommate and she became one of my best friends.

Kim will be the BEST mom! She is so good with children. She has many nieces and nephews that she helps take care of and she has been a nanny for many other children. I hope and pray that she and Brock will be able to adopt a baby soon because they will love and take care of any child that comes to their home.

Brazil Salvador Mission

My mom and dad received their official mission call today. Since it was a Thursday I was over at their house. When I got there my mom and I saw an envelope on her front porch. We had a feeling it was the mission call but we weren't sure so I peeked. I didn't see the actual mission but I did see the word Brazil so I told my mom that she could rest assured that she wasn't going to Africa. When my dad got home we all gathered around and they opened their call. Salvador is right on the coast and it's the 2nd most popular tourist attraction in Brazil. We can't wait to visit! My mom and dad will be the best Mission President ever! I'm so excited for them.

Bridger's pony birthday party

We had Bridger's birthday party the day after his birthday on Feb. 4th. We planned a pony party since Bridger has been obsessed with horses for a long time now. I was worried because our party would have to be outside and the beginning of the week it was FREEZING temperatures. Luckily, it "warmed" up to about 32 degrees the day of the party.

Bridger had the pony all to himself for about 20 minutes before the girls got there. He just rode the pony around and around the yard. I think his face explains how much he loved it! Grandpa Jimmy, Bridger on Midnight the pony, and the nice guy who brought the pony (I think his name was Steve).



The girls had a blast riding the pony around too! I wish we could have had all of Bridger's cousins there but a few of his cousins live out of state.

It was fun watching Bridger walk all over the yard with Ivy and Ivy and Ivy (he thinks all his girl cousins are named Ivy). He learned how to walk just in time for his 2nd birthday. We are so proud of him!!

The guests watching the pony rides.

Here's his pony cake that I made all by myself. It's exactly like the dinosaur cake we made last year but just turned into a horsie.

I didn't get any good shots of Bridger blowing out the candles because I was feeding Graham. Here he is with his Daddy enjoying the cake. (I should explain that Bridger LOVES his hat and refuses to take it off even when we're indoors. It's hilarious!)

Bridger was spoiled with so many fun presents! He got fun horsies, car toys, clothes, shoes, a giant horse to ride on, and more. Jake and I gave him these Spiderman shoes that light up when he walks and he loved 'em.

Opening more presents with his cousins.

We had a pinata after he opened presents but I didn't get many good pictures of it. We had such a fun party! Thanks to everyone that came and made it such a special day.

Bridger's 2nd birthday

Here's a picture of my little Bridger on the day he was born. Wasn't this just yesterday? Can Bridger really be two already? Where does the time go? I don't know what I did to be so blessed to be the mom of this sweet, silly, cute, fun little boy. I love him so much!

Bridger's birthday was on a Thursday this year so we waited until Friday to have his party. I wanted to do something fun for him on his actual birthday (even though I wasn't feeling well) so we went to the Living Planet Aquarium with our friends Britney and Daxton. The boys were so excited about the fish that I couldn't get them to look at the camera.

Bridger's favorite fish was the "Nemo" one. You can see his little face looking at it through the fish tank.

Jake has school on Thursday nights so we weren't planning on him being home. Luckily, school was cancelled because his professor's car broke down and he couldn't get to class. We decided to take Bridger out for ice cream. Before we left we let him open one present and saved the rest for his party. He got a pack of cars from Cars the movie--Mater, Sally, Ramone, and Sarge.

My family met us at Shivers for a birthday treat.

Tyler and Graham. Kathy had to stay home and take care of the twins.


Grandma and Grandpa and Bridger eating ice cream.

Brooke and Skyler

Jake and Barry